Launch of the Keep Libel Laws out of Science campaign

Keep the libel laws out of science

The Keep Libel Laws out of Science campaign was launched following the use of the English libel laws to silence critical discussion of medical practice and scientific evidence discouraging debate, denying the public access to the full picture and encouraging the use of the courts to silence critics. In October 2008 The British Chiropractic Association sued Simon Singh for libel. The scientific community would have preferred that it had defended its position about chiropractic through an open discussion in the medical literature or mainstream media.

On 4th June 2009 Simon Singh announced that he was applying to appeal the judge’s recent pre-trial ruling in this case, in conjunction with the launch of this support campaign to defend the right of the public to read the views of scientists and writers.

Over 20,000 people from the worlds of science, journalism, publishing, comedy, literature and law signed up to Keep Libel Laws out of Science and call for an urgent review of English law of libel. Supporters include Stephen Fry, Lord Rees of Ludlow, Ricky Gervais, Martin Amis, Jonathan Ross, James Randi, Professor Richard Dawkins, Penn & Teller and Professor Sir David King, former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government.

Click here for some background on Simon Singh’s case along with a discussion of the problems with the English libel system. At the launch of the campaign, Simon encouraged supporters to sign the statement of support, read more here

Click here to read Simon’s full account of the story.

At the press conference for the launch of the campaign, Simon Singh said:

“The British Chiropractic Association’s decision to sue me for libel has been an enormous drain on my time and energy. However, the support that I have received from family, friends, readers, bloggers, scientists, journalists and those who care about free speech has been incredible, and it has played a crucial role in my decision to continue defending my article and fighting the libel action.

“Everyone agrees that there is something fundamentally wrong with the English libel laws, which have a chilling effect on journalists, whether they write about science or anything else, whether they live in Britain or anywhere else. Hence, I am delighted that so many individuals and organisations have come together to launch a campaign with Sense About Science to highlight how the English libel laws clash with the right to discuss science in a frank and fair way.”

Also speaking at the press conference:

Tracey Brown, Managing Director of Sense About Science: “This goes to the heart of what we all do. We suspect that the huge level of support that has greeted the statement indicates a much wider frustration about these unfair laws and the damage they do to a free debate. As we move decisively away from a time when many scientists did not deign to share their reasoning and views with the public, with this case and other recent libel actions, we meet with the problem that they don’t dare to. We urge everyone who cares about their right to read what scientists really think - including robust criticism of others’ evidence - to join the signatories and push for parliamentary reform.”

Edzard Ernst, Professor of Complementary Medicine, Co Author with Singh of ‘Trick or Treatment’: “In healthcare, disagreements over evidence happen all the time, but it is wholly inappropriate to resort to personal attacks or the law courts. To resolve them we must employ open discussions about the scientific facts. If this process is bypassed, we jeopardize free speech and medical progress.

Nick Cohen, Observer columnist, who said: “For years, rich and dubious characters, from Ukrainian oligarchs to the managers of Icelandic banks have flocked to London to use our libel laws because English law is stacked against free speech. The chilling effect on legitimate public debate has been so severe it has attracted international censure. It would be scandalous if the hounding of Simon Singh were to lead to those same chill winds freezing scientific discourse.”

Press Coverage:Keep Libel Laws out of Science

Read more on the Keep Libel Laws out of Science Campaign here:

Click here to read Sile Lane in the BMJ on the background to the campaign

Click here to read Simon’s full account of the story.

Click here to view a bar chart showing a Comparative Study of Costs in Defamation Proceedings Across Europe.

Signatories to the Keep Libel Laws out of Science campaign

Click here to see the list of signatories, including the 200 who signed up before the launch.

Click here to read additional comments from signatories.

For more signatories see the following pages (1000 signatories per page):

News

Click here to see the campaign press coverage.

Friday 5th June 2009: Click here to read the response to the statement, from a group of cross party MPs.

Tuesday 2nd July 2009: Click here to read World science journalists object to English libel laws

Monday 20th July 2009: Click here to read Dr Evan Harris MP asking Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Ben Bradshaw, whether he would meet with a delegation of signatories of Keep the Libel Laws out of Science.

Wednesday 29th July 2009: Click here to read Beware the Spinal Trap, Simon Singh’s article on chiropractic from The Guardian from April 2008 and for a list of the huge number of other places it appears today.

    Last updated: May 26 2010

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